Posted on 06/27/2008 2:27:03 PM PDT by raybbr
I have an older computer that I have cleaned out of W2000 Pro. I tried loading a version of XP Pro that I have on this machine. MS wants $269 for an additional key. I am not willing to pay that.
I am currently downloading Ubuntu and would like to put Linux on this box. It has an Athlon XP with a gig of memory and no video card.
I don't plan on any gaming or high end computing. Just photo editing, video editing and web surfing.
Do I need Ubuntu or is there something else smaller and simpler I can use?
Also, what can I use to wipe XP off and start over? Will the installation disk of Ubuntu do that?
Thanks in advance, Ray.
Ping for help. Thanks.
Does it have an on button?
Ok, I couldn’t resist.
Might try the Ubuntu LiveCD first to get used to it, see if it works with your hardware, etc.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD
As for your second question, any Linux installer will generally offer to remove the old partition(s).
No video card? I thought you wanted to do photo and video editing? Does it have a good on board one?
A magnet.
Yikes! Well go with a linux distro like Ubuntu and some free editing software, but if its as old as I am thinking in my head you are still going to be pulling hair out at how slow it renders images and video.
Marking the Ubuntu LiveCD url in your post: Thank you.
Marty, this guy (sorry if i got the gender incorrect) is a Linux Newbie. Knoppix is a fine distro, and i use their live DVD, but it can be a bit difficult to install for a newbie. Sure you want to steer him or her in this direction?
AFAIK, Ubuntu/KUbuntu/XUbuntu (they're all the same distro, they just use different windowing environments) are much simpler to install.
So what is the motherboard?
You must have an onboard video...is it Nvidia or ATI? Most Nvidia based boards seem ok,...ATI based ,...prior to the latest can be a problem.... XORG will be a likely problem area ...newer versions of various Distros have upgraded in a newer Xorg which I am having trouble with ...
*******************************
Back to usual problem area....
***********************************
Puppy has two X servers, the powerful Xorg and the simple and very small Xvesa Kdrive X server. The latter has many limitations, one of which is it cannot adjust the screen refresh frequency. When you run "Start -> Setup -> Xvesa Video Wizard" (which is what ran the very first time you booted Puppy), you are offered a selection of video resolutions, and there is a "MORE" button with further choices. The Xvesa server obtains these resolutions from the video card and is able to tell the video card/chip to change to the chosen resolution, however Xvesa is not able to tell the video card what refresh rate to use. Thus, the refresh rate is whatever the video card/chip decides to use.
PCLinuxOS is easy. In my opinion, even easier than any Ubuntu I've tried, although I haven't tried the new verions of Ubuntu Mint. I would go for PCLinuxOS 2007 as that distro sets up everything. It's the ONE linux that got me away from Windows. There is also PCLInuxOS MiniMe that is a minimal install where you select what additional programs to add from Synaptic.
Of course, I bought a new computer with Vista two weeks ago, and I'm still playing around with it, haven't dual booted yet.
Perhaps you know about Distrowatch?...
Never did like any of the **buntu’s. I’d recommend PCLinuxOS, or Mepis.
It's been a pretty good board and I had very little trouble editing photos with PSP on W2000.
btrl
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.